Memorial Day

[Transcript of Iowa State Representative Linda Upmeyer's 2010 Memorial Day address to the Veterans and citizens of Garner, Iowa.]

Good morning.  Thank you for being here this morning and thank you for inviting me to say a few words.

It is both a thrill and a humbling experience to speak before your home town friends and family.  But most importantly, I am honored to be here with you to remember our fallen soldiers … those who fought and who have died … but who preserved the rights and freedoms that we enjoy today.

As I reflected on what I would say this morning, I thought of my earliest memories of men and women in the military.  I remember as a small girl seeing my Dad, his friends, and my Uncle in their uniforms.

I remember, as a young person here in Garner, seeing the National Guardsmen and Reserves gather at the Armory for weekend drills.

I remember graduating from High School and losing a good friend during the Viet Nam war. And classmates going off to training as they entered military service.

Then I thought about the Oath of Allegiance our soldiers swear before entering the Armed Forces: “I do solemnly swear … that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies foreign and domestic … so help me God.”  With those simple words, a young American makes the greatest commitment of a lifetime.

I thought about history … in the beginning of these United States, soldiers fought the War of the Revolution which determined and settled our political status among all the people of the earth.

That Confederacy, which followed the Declaration of Independence, demonstrated the weakness of the foundation upon which we expected to build a nation, but the Constitution of 1789 welded the states together into an unbroken and unending chain of common interest.

Our soldiers’ victory in the War of 1812 strengthened our national bond, unified the people, and proved to the world our ability to maintain our rights.

The War of the Rebellion abolished slavery, made our soil free, and forever destroyed the idea of secession as a Constitutional right. The return of peace and the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic crystallized American loyalty.

In his speech at Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln’s words focused on the loss of life during the Civil War and the higher cause for which their lives were given: “That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion … that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people … should not perish from this Earth.”

Step by step we have ascended the heights which no other nation has reached. A mighty republic has grown upon the foundation of unrestricted and universal right to vote, refuting the fallacy that men trusted with a free ballot could never govern wisely and well.

I continued to ponder what I, a woman who has not served in the military, has not had a child go to war, could possibly say to Veterans who had sacrificed so much.

I thought about what I’ve seen and learned of the true service and sacrifice of a soldier since being elected to office.  Let me tell you that after eight years, I remain in awe as I climb the stairs leading to the House Chamber under that magnificent golden dome.  Over the years I have had the opportunity to honor Veterans with special resolutions, to vote on legislation to support our soldiers, to send off troops for deployment (including two fellow House members), and to tearfully welcome them home.  I have gotten to know members of the Patriot Guard who provide escort for troops as they are deployed and provide blockade for military funerals to protect families from harassment.  I have gotten to know the Blue Star and Gold Star Mom’s coordinators.  And one of the highlights of each year is the Marine Corps Birthday Party.  It is such an honor to be invited to be a part of that ceremony.

Last February I was invited to be part of a delegation to Iraq to oversee the elections.  Our job was to observe the elections for fraud or abuse so we could testify to the United Nations if necessary.  Unfortunately, we were in session so I had to decline that opportunity.  In a few weeks I am going on an Honor Flight as part of the medical support or guardian to a soldier so they can visit the war memorials built in their honor.

Then I thought of every lawmaker’s first day.  I took an oath too, swearing to uphold the Constitution of the United States and of Iowa.  But I did that from a safe, secure building in Des Moines.  I was not in fear of the Capitol being bombed or of personal harm because of opposition to the government.  As we approach elections in a few weeks and again in the fall, no voter has to fear going to the polls to cast their vote for the person of their choice.  As this country debates polarizing issues, citizens can voice their ideas, demonstrate for their cause, and lobby their elected officials without fear of losing their job, their property, or their life.  That is not true in every country around the world.  Yet nearly one third of Americans will stay home or be too busy to exercise this extraordinary freedom.  We enjoy these freedoms because soldiers have been willing to lay down their lives to defend them.  Today we say, “Thank you.”

Thinking about what to say to you today helped me more fully and personally understand and appreciate what those who served and sometimes died in service to this country have really given us.  Our freedom can never be taken for granted or taken lightly when it has been won and defended at such a cost.  These experiences serve as reminder that we are so blessed to live in a republic where freedom is so valued.  It also reminds me that because of their sacrifice, every vote I take represents ” … government of the people, by the people and for the people”.

Because these soldiers were willing to give their last full measure to defend our Constitution and to protect our freedom, we must also expect those we elect to represent “We the People”, and to protect and defend our freedoms and our Constitution.  And every citizen has a personal responsibility as well.  Complacency, ignorance, and discontent that keep people from the polls are an affront to every soldier who has defended our Constitution and our right to vote.  The greatest honor we can pay to a soldier is to fully exercise our rights and freedoms to show the true value of that for which they fought.

And as we remember our fallen soldiers, and we thank them for their sacrifice, we need to also make sure all future generations never forget the price of the freedoms they enjoy.

An old man once said that he wished to see the heroes of yesterday march forward side by side with the youth of today.  He said, “That nation suffers a great calamity whose children and youth have separated themselves from yesterday’s battlefields and victories and have forgotten to honor the memories of their fathers – the sages and statesmen from whom they have received a priceless heritage.”

Every generation should store up blessings for the next. We bless the past for its lesson of experience, and we revere the memories of the men who made the past a glorious prediction for the future. So we come on this Memorial Day to record our indebtedness to the patriotic soldiers, pay our homage for their bravery, express our sympathy with their sufferings, and our admiration for their achievements, pledging ourselves to stand loyally by the institutions for which they nobly died.

We are here today, part of a grateful nation, to pay such a tribute as we can to the heroes who did so much for us.  Our land has been truly blessed and honored with veterans who have given their lives to ensure that we have the freedom to enjoy the blessings given to us by god, and assured in liberty by the vision of our founding fathers.  And today, as we should each day, we say “God Bless” to those who have given of their lives to make America strong and to those who remain prepared to fight for our country.

Linda Upmeyer
Iowa State Representative, House District 12
Memorial Day, May 31, 2010
Garner, Iowa

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